Shakib asks for team performance

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has asked his team-mates to perform as a unit instead of playing as individuals following his team's six-wicket defeat to India in Dambulla.

"We played well as individuals but not as a team, that's an area we need to improve on a lot," Shakib told reporters after Bangladesh were bowled out 167 in 34.5 overs in their first Asia Cup match. "We need to climb one step ahead and put team performances together, only then can we win some games. That's the main area we have to concentrate on.

"We are playing against teams better than us and we need to work out every time we go out and play. But it's not been happening for the last six months. We are trying our level best and have been working hard at our game."

Bangladesh's next game is against hosts Sri Lanka on Friday, and Shakib said his team needed to work harder on the disciplines that let them down against India. "Our middle-order batsmen didn't play well and against spin," he said. "Sri Lanka has some very good spinners and we need to discuss at the team meeting and do some assessment so that we can do well in next game."

Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, Bangladesh's openers, had raced to 35 off 2.5 overs and at 155 for 4 in the 30th over, Bangladesh looked like setting India a stiff target to chase under lights. The introduction of Virender Sehwag's off-breaks in the 31st over, however, triggered a collapse and six wickets tumbled for 12 runs - the last four falling without a run being added to the total. "Though we lost there are some positives we can take from this game especially the way the top order batsmen started off," Shakib said. "In the first 10 overs we played really well, but it needs to be continued with our middle order batsmen."